Comm101 Tutorial1 Essay - 858 Words

Comm101 Tutorial 1) What were the individual factors that contributed to the failure of Enron? Briefly explain two key factors. Enron collapsed in large part because of the unethical practices of its executives. Egoism (Self interest) was one of the major factors contributed to the failure of Enron. Enron’s executives put their own interests above those of their employees, company and the public, and failed to exercise proper oversight or shoulder responsibility for ethical failings. They allowed themselves to be motivated much more by what would benefit themselves than what would truly benefit the company. Money, greed, arrogance and hubris led company executives to lose focus on working for the good of the company and to act†¦show more content†¦2) What were the organizational factors that contributed to the failure of Enron? Briefly explain two key factors. Leadership, Culture and Management controls were the key organizational factors that contributed to the failure of Enron. Company executives and managers directly impact the ethical direction of a company. When the executives and managers are ethical, employees are more likely to act ethically. When a company lacks committed ethical leadership, as did Enron, ethical standards will not be maintained. Because Enron lacked ethical leadership, it experienced a breakdown in its corporate structure and culture (Gini, 2004). Eventually, the entire company collapsed as a result. Enron created a culture obsessed with the bottom line and not with ethical behavior. The company culture demanded conformity and penalized dissent. Consequently, employees adopted and complied with the culture demanded by the company’s leaders. Once leadership has crossed the line to unethical behavior, unethical acts can become accepted in daily activities and employees have many reason for remaining quiet. T he system (a harsher variant of one used at many companies) encouraged cutthroat competition and silenced dissent. Followers were afraid to question unethical and or illegal practices for fear of losing their jobs. Instead, they were rewarded for their unthinking loyalty to their

Organizational Leadership The United States Military,...

The people in key positions are essential to the things that makes the world go around, but relationships influence how leaders manage, mentor, and move organizations forward. There is a need in the world today for people responsible for others and resources in marketplace industries to seek the wisdom of seasoned leaders in all facets of organizational leadership. Service in the United States military, government, commercial marketplace, Church ministry, education, and parenthood at various leadership levels establishes the necessity for the continuous need for all leaders to have a mentor. Leaders arrive from a multitude of varied paths, shapes, and forms. The development and background of these people are routine questions often asked. Leadership is a process of whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal. No matter how much the world changes, society imposes incessant requests for capable, competent, and confident leaders as a necessity for social progression. There is a perpetual challenge for leaders at varied levels to seek a mentor. Have you ever wondered if the President or members of Congress have a mentor? Who are the mentors of influential church leaders comparable to Charles Swindoll, T.D. Jakes, or Pope Francis? Does the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Reserve System, Janet Yellen have a mentor? Who is Microsoft s Bill Gates mentor? How do leaders respond as a follower? How do leaders at all levels interact withShow MoreRelatedEssay Paper84499 Words   |  338 PagesIt prescribes the policy and responsibility of command, which includes well-being of the force, military and personal discipline and conduct, the Army Equal Opportunity Program, Prevention of Sexual Harassment, and the Army Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. Applicability. This regulation applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve, unless otherwise stated. During mobilization, the Contents proponentRead MoreHandbook11173 Words   |  45 PagesMCI 0084 Handbook MARINE CORPS INSTITUTE CAREER RETENTION SPECIALIST HANDBOOK MARINE BARRACKS WASHINGTON, DC UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MARINE CORPS INSTITUTE 912 CHARLES POOR STREET SE WASHINGTON NAVY YARD DC 20391-5680 IN REPLY REFER TO: 1550 01 Aug 05 CAREER RETENTION SPECIALIST (MCI 0084) 1. Purpose. This handbook for career retention specialists (CRS) is published to provide reference material to all Marines whose duties require them to understand the basic tasks of a CRSRead MoreConsumer Behaviour of Lg Tv12881 Words   |  52 PagesA PROJECT REPORT ON IMPACT OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR ON THE MARKETING STRATIGIES OF NEW PRODUCTS WITH REFERNCE TO LG TELEVISION, BANGALORE. SUBMITTED TO ALL INDIA MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION CENTRE FOR MANAGEMENT EDUCATION MANAGEMENT HOUSE, 14 INSTITUTIONAL AREA, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110003 OCTOBER 2012 STUDY CENTRE Acharya Institute of Management amp; sciences, Bangalore. Website :- acharyaims.ac.in By SK ABDUS SUBHAN REGISTRATION NO. 420920933 Guided By For the partial fulfilmentRead More65 Successful Harvard Business School Application Essays 2nd Edition 147256 Words   |  190 Pagesrights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. For-information, address St. Martins Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010. www.stmartins.com Library of Congress Cataloging...in..Publication Data 65 successful Harvard Business -School application essays : with analysis by the staff of The Harbus, the Harvard Business School newspaper / Lauren Sullivan and the staff of The Harbus.-2nd ed. p.em. ISBN 978...0..312...55007...3 1. Business schools-United States-Admission. 2. Exposition (Rhetoric)Read MoreThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team a Leadership Fable46009 Words   |  185 PagesPage iii The Five Dysfunctions of aTeam A L E A D E R S H I P FA B L E Patrick Lencioni 01_960756_ffirs_16.qxd 1/13/06 8:57 AM Page ii 01_960756_ffirs_16.qxd 1/13/06 8:57 AM Page i Also by Patrick Lencioni Leadership Fables The Five Temptations of a CEO The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive Death by Meeting Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars Field Guide Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team 01_960756_ffirs_16.qxd 1/13/06 8:57 AM

Pie Charts Argumentative Essay Example For Students

Pie Charts Argumentative Essay Pie ChartsAn important part of decision making is having a clear understanding of the information used to base decisions from. Charts can be valuable when a need to represent numerical data would benefit communicating information visually. Some of the most important aspects of a good chart are to select the right type of chart (or graph) that can best characterize the data, also, to keep the design simple in order for an audience to easily understand the information. One of the most popular types of charts is the pie chart. The pie chart is used to visually represent the proportional value of individual parts to the whole. As the name describes, this is done by representing the numerical equivalence of each part as a piece of the whole pie, which in total equates to 100%. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (2001) says that pie charts are a good choice when a relatively small amount of parts, perhaps 3 to 7, need to be represented. With any more it becomes difficult to notice the d ifferences in magnitude; thus, the pie chart loses its simplicity and impact. They can only be used when a total amount is known, one such example would be an election where the total of votes received by all candidates equals 100% of the votes. Or a budget where the total amount spending is divided in to categories such as labor, facilities costs, advertising, etc which always are a part of the total. However, according to McBride (2003), the pie chart could not be used to show a change in spending through out a period. A pie chart shows data at one instance, like a snapshot and cannot be used to show change in data over time (para. 4). With the advent of computers, 3D graphs have become somewhat popular, unfortunately a negative aspect is that they add complexity to the image and can distort visual proportional value. It is recommended to stick with flat 2D charts (para. 6). Pie charts these days are typically generated by computer software, as a result people forget that there is actually a little math involved. To create a pie chart Concordia University (2000) explains that you have to find the total value for the entire category being studied and calculate the percentage for each segment or part. Convert the percentage values for each segment into degrees relative to the 360 degrees in the circle. (For example, 12% X 360 degrees = 43 degrees). Then, Draw a circle and divide it into appropriately sized segments. Sykes and Smith recommend that the sectors of the pie are ordered from largest to the smallest for easier interpretation of the data and they should be drawn in the counter-clockwise direction. (para. 7) For clarity a complete title of the data being represented is used, along with each slice clearly labeled to identify its characteristics, and the source of the data. Appropriate colors and or shading are also quite valuable in distinguishing t he segments. Test the chart in its final format for readability. Whether it be displayed on a projector, paper or computer screen. With the assistance of a coworker, ensure that the audience will be able to clearly interpret the graph, making sure the chart is large and clear enough to read. Based on what you have learned, what can you point out about the following chart that does not follow best practices?Source: Where is earths water located? (2003)2 pie charts were used in the single representation, this could be acceptable if the reader was given free time to study the chart, but the complexity of using one pie chart to further divide a portion of the other pie chart would be too confusing for many situations. Ideally it would be presented separately. Remember to keep it simple. .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f , .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f .postImageUrl , .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f , .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f:hover , .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f:visited , .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f:active { border:0!important; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f:active , .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uae92931f0b39df3d99f8ba5e9efc065f:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Reality of the Nacirema EssayAdding to the confusion is that the same color was used on the 2 different charts, but represent 2 different things. You may have noticed that the chart does not give the actual stats for the Water usable by humans. A chart is used to support statistics; and it is best to include the numbers in the chart. The extreme 3D effect distorts the visual representation of the pie charts, which is the main reason for using a pie chart in the first place. Now that you have had the chance to point out some things about a pie chart that can be wrong, what can you find in the next pie chart that was done right?Source: Grandfather Economic Report series (2004)Clear title describing the purpose of the chart. Each section is clearly labeled with the statistic included. Colors were used well to distinguish the pieces. A reasonable # of pieces were used, not overloading the chart. Overall this is an excellent example of what a pie chart should look like with the exception of one rule, the pieces were not arranged from largest to smallest in a clockwise manner. The sizes are mixed, making less clear the relative proportions of the pieces. Pie charts can be an excellent tool for presenting information in a simple, visual and comprehensible manner. If used in the right situation and best practices are followed, the pie chart may be the tool that most influences a decision. ReferencesPennsylvania Department of Health. (2001). Pie charts and pictographs. Retrieved January 24, 2005 from, http://www.health.state.pa.us/hpa/stats/ techassist/piechart.htmConcordia University. (2000). Pie chart. Retrieved January 31, 2005 from, http://web2.concordia.ca/Quality/tools/21piechart.pdfSykes, A., ; Smith, B. (1999). Getting started A simple pie chart. Retrieved January 31, 2005 from, http://www.causeway.co.uk/tutorial/rainpro/apl99/dyalog/start.htmHodges, M. (2004). Grandfather economic report series. Retrieved January 31, 2005 from, http://mwhodges.home.att.net/fed_budget.htmPerlman, H. (2003). Where is earths water located? Retrieved January 31, 2005 from, http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthwherewater.html

Unions and Industrial Councils Series †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Unions and Industrial Councils Series. Answer: Introduction: Over past 30 years it has been immensely observed that the role of Trade unions (TUs) have changed extensively. International struggle, a developing fashion in the field of outsourcing, Law restraints, and manager supported types of worker contribution have united in impulsive manner a momentous fall in merger association and the reporting of collective bargaining. TUs have been observed in playing a major part in determining the working lifestyle of individuals in a direct manner in todays time. Though the TUs have a major impact on people but presently this influence has reduced in one manner or the other. The TU movement was observed to be representing the major alarming power which prevails within the civil culture in the modern global politics and the global economy. TUs as a result were regarded as a countervailing force against the commanding alliance of global corporations, economic organizations and industrialized states that search for to merge their control over the global biased and financial system at the cost of the fragile. And as a result of this prospective, unions constantly magnetize assaults and brands from those who terror their control. Similarly, it has been observed that the Trade unions in South Africa have the past dating the past back to the 1880s. From the start unifications have been observed as an indication of the ethnic disunity of the state, with the initial combinations being principally for fair employees. Throughout the chaotic time of 19481991, TUs have played a significant part in constructing biased and financial struggle, and ultimately were one of the dynamic services in comprehending the change to a general self-governing administration. So, presently TUs were still seen to be a significant power in South Africa, with 3.11 million employees on behalf of 25.3% of the recognized work energy. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) was then seen to be the largest of the 3 major TU centers, with an association of 1.8 million (Pillay, 2013b). It was also a element of the Tripartite coalition with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP). A progressive TU group plays a major part than just depicting their employees on the shop floor. But after the drop of the Berlin barrage, the separation within the TU movement reduced, and a number of TUs observed the desire to construct a joint worldwide TU group. This led to the merging of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) as the most agent of organized labor. The ICFTU must alter itself into an aggressive power that was an assistant and an actual representative of those most who were marginalized by globalization. By uniting lobbying and dynamic operations, people must crusade for fairness and the abolition of the enormous space in profits among North and South states. The confederation must create unions in the North and South with progressive governments, and movement for lively rules that would bring about the impartiality. But it should know that inequities were not only established among these countries. Progressively, the space in income within urbanized and, within budding states was massive (Hodin, 2013). But the early TUs were repeatedly for fair people only, with associations like the South African Confederation of Labour (SACoL) which were formed in order to help service policies which were founded on racial biasness. But in late 1970s a Federation of South African Trade Unions (FOSATU) was established, with the Council of Unions of South Africa (CUSA) which was constructed in the subsequent year. These issues notify their work on a plan for societal impartiality in the 21st century. The requirement to constantly update the organizational strategy to face the exercises of multinational corporations was connected to this. At the core hub of their strategy was the organized substitute of official, protected and well paying tasks with provisional and anxious work that proposes no job safety (Congress of South African Trade unions, 2017). In Africa, this circumstance was compounded by the fact that casual sector and survivalist actions were frequently previously even superior to the official trade division. People need to go further than the defense of their significant increase in order to enlarge superiority service into innovative areas (Heery, 2002). In spite of the strengths which people possess, they must recognize that the TU movement was irregularly created among the states. In many parts of the South, the TUs continue to be feeble and reliant on and occasionally restricted by rules. In most industrialized states, union association was dilapidated. For example, the COSATU 'Spring Offensive was created which sets aside a month of employment and systematizing, where shop stewards of united nationwide unions were free from work for among some time period, to go and organize employees at unorganized workplaces, in the casual division and in rural areas, not only in their own divisions but all over the world (Kester, 2016). Similarly, the ratio of employees who were the workers of such unions fell in the initial ten years of the 21st century, even though this turn down to be more reserved, and far less vivid than the refusal of the previous two decades (Congress of South African Trade Unions, 2001). In the work of outsourcing, the introduction of international organizations was regarded to be as bigger market forces, a developing fashion and the development in different service. But in the forms of contribution and depiction which were supported by the employer. So, the burden of Law restraints on the capability of unions to employ, systematize, cooperatively barter, has all contributed to a prickly fall in association (Butcher et al, 2001). In spite of the implementation of a number of domestic plans and the preface of the regulations employers would be encouraged to distinguish unions; the downward tendency in association however sustained in the upcoming years, even though at a slower speed (Rule of Burger and Derek Yu, 2006). The manner in which unions act in response to the disputes and chances which was obtainable by the changing nature of work and employment relations would be crucial in shaping their level of authority within the place of work in the future years. Therefore, this essay offers an evaluation of the upcoming occasions and predictions for the international TUs. Also, after observing at current association drifts more intimately, it inspects how unions were determining the relationships which exist among the employees and their managers in the present workplace, predominantly with respect to depiction and divergence of the workers (Industrial Organizational and Labor Studies, 2017). The essay would then provide a general idea of how unions have answered to a more fragmented labor marketplace and their hard works in getting unorganized employees in a more varied work force. Attention then turns out to the efficiency of a number of strategies which have urbanized by unions in the upcoming years. The efficiency could include systematizing, corporation, the knowledge schedule, and review the probable prospective function of different TUs in the international workplace and service relationships. The major crucial aspect that differentiates the 21st century, as far as labor was concerned, as the essential standard move which Law has been in existence since 19th century but whose impacts were just recounting in the present time (Begg, 2002). The standard modification has pretended massive confrontations to TUs, by convincing them to embark on a rethinking of the objectives of different TUs and the different manners in which they put in order their work in order to be more effectual and collectively pertinent (Alliance, 2001). For some 20 years which have passed presently, it has been general to submit to a predicament of Unionism. It seems ever vaguer to state that what the future holds for labor actions or undeniably, whether they even have a predictable time or not (Bezprizvanniy, 2010). So, it has been found out that for many Unionists as well as scholarly people, TUs in most of the states emerge out as sufferers of external forces outside their control, and often also of their own traditional inactivity. But a TU embraces the capability to shape their personal expectations (Hantke, 2009). So, in all the states, they hold an influential customs and innate organizations; these all too have repeatedly forms a straitjacket, but could also grant a resource for an imaginative proposal. Predicting the future as a result was, in a lot of computations, a matter of understanding and analyzing the conduit from ancient times to the current time (Pillay, 2017). Although, Fascination with history could be hazardous as it was all too easy to compare a principally mythological golden age of pledge and harmony with the dilemma of the current time (Von Holdt, 2003). But learning from the past experiences could open up some innovative preferences; and times of emergency could persuade people to dispose of the comfortable daily work of an individual and search for innovative instructions. As a result of which some people started considering Unionism in the previous time only (Nowak, 2015). So, the olden times of Unionism all over the world, was dated back more than 2 centuries ago, as it was outstanding for its assortment (Jamaica Observer, 2011). Yet 5 common themes could be recognized, as, they were pertinent to the consideration of present dilemmas and potential promises such as: TUs in the past were constructed in the main context on putting emphasis on pre-existing solidarities. For instance, the concept of craft unionism which was founded on principles of collective distinctiveness predating capitalist employment dealings. Much more expansively, collective experience at work was harmonized by family lives of individuals in a close group of people with communal entertaining, educational and at times spiritual recreations. Also, the union was regarded as an organization which was entrenched in encircling communal scenery. In certain situations, the union was also defined as an expansion of the community of an organization (ENCA, 2015). TUs in their development from prohibited status to decency exhibited a constant anxiety among acting as a 'sword of justice' and as a 'vested interest'. Because among combating for all those who were demoralized, disadvantaged and defensive for the tapered interests of comparatively privileged sections of the working class who often found it simple to unionize. Most of the TUs were conventionally founded, at least in developed countries, on what was universally defined as the ordinary service connection. Those who were employed for a full-time period on more or less enduring agreements were seen as most understandable applicants for communal association and demonstration. The conventional Trade Unionist was then stated to be a male with trade muscle' (Wire D Space, 2012). In South Africa, an Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) was established in Mpumalanga and in 2001 it was officially registered as a union. But with the influential support of Mr. Jeffery Mphahlele and Mr. Archie Palane, it was formally registered in the subsequent year. The major duty of such union was to help workers with labour linked plights towards managers. Presently, this organization has close to 200 000 workers from all areas that it symbolizes building, mining, safety, and many more. This union was presided over by President Joseph Mathunjwa. It was dedicated to staying proper to the permission which was granted by its workers and the working class at large. This command was a well-versed declaration which was taken by the union at all of their guidance levels, streams, and branches. As a result, their leaders must force the welfare of employees even outside the effective ecology. Though, this union had been there for many years for now but still the Platinum belt hit gave it importance between other unions. Also, the President also persists to reveal value management and humane talent that have made him the accomplished person which he is presently. In regard to unionism, AMCU has been devoted for the maintenance of the defense of instant welfare of its employees on the job; honest earnings, safety of service, working circumstances that were not intimidating to the psychological and corporeal health of the employees such as essential societal security. The attitude of the people vestiges to be resolved in relation to the point of backing up the publicly progressive legislation for the wellbeing of all the employees and also the majority of the population of the state. The advocacy was seen to be far-reaching, which was entrenched in a supporting community where the privileges of employees and all residents were assured. The initial encounters of the labour movement were accomplished in order to attain the worldwide suffrage, a biased object, as well as a global and free learning, and many more. So, in order to attain this, the labour movement has in most of the states required to exercise political power through its own parties. Its members were carnage during strike in South Africa and about 43 members were shot dead by police. Would such actions be a danger to Unions in the future was one of the questions which one should pretense. It was also observed that in the 19th century the membership of the Uganda Public Employees Union (UPEU) as a result of privatization of government services fell down. It comprehended that its only option of survival was by modifying its viewpoint. So, it amended the concept of public workers and distorted concept from the conventional narrow definition of civil servants to a much broader concept of public workers being anybody employed in serving the public (Public Service International, 2017). It was also seen that public sector was strongly prevalent in the present time also because the uneven number of women at the survivalist end of the casual economy were there, who were fascinated there by the social discrimination against them in most communities. And the reason for that was the lack of skills growth, and the child care tasks which community imposes upon them, and many more. Unions were then in no place to address these differences or the poverty which they frequently emphasize, without classifying the females and males who work in the casual economy. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) and the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) were correspondingly main largest unions across all divisions of the South African wealth. They signify employees engaged unswervingly or circuitously by the public sector. Ifiso Kumalo, COSATU public sector co-ordinator, states resourcing as one of the biggest issues that influence the public sector. According to him, public health and education services experience from inadequate support which results in poor equipment and under-staffed hospitals and schools. COSATU contribute in collective bargaining councils in the public sector through the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council, and many more (Horn, 2002). CONSAWU was aided by strong anchor unions which were also active in the public sector bargaining councils (Webster and von, 2005). Also, Membership has been seen to be observed as one of the key source for TUs. As per different traditions which were followed by the unions they differ on the points like how directly they connect representation to their relationship foundation. Even so, relationship facts continue to be a critical constituent of an organizational strength of any union and for authenticity acknowledgment. So, the number of members was an significant resource in combined discussions as well as a essential constituent of TU bargaining power, since it could provide trustworthiness to its threats (Serrano et al, 2016). But TU were recognized within the 1996 Constitution of South Africa, which grants for the privilege to join TU and for amalgamations to cooperatively bargain and thump. The present challenges dealing with COSATU, and the wider TU group need a much wider study than was ordinary in most of the public deliberations. In such deliberations, it was significant that individuals do not diminish these confrontations to little more than a fight of conflicting groups, characters, and wrongful acts within the union movement. Also, the inner employee democracy within their unions, counting the responsibility of full-time bureaucrats to the association was effective. These were the essential principles that assisted to construct and keep up progressive business unionism in the miserable years of apartheid (Hachmann, 2011). But it has been clearly stated that the standards of organizing idea includes alterations in the concerns related to TU, in that currently the TUs have devoted more funds in employing more employees which have turns out to be the chief aim of the TUs against submitting service to already registered union employees (Brand South Africa, 2015). This development of unionism membership to non conservative engaged people has included inspirational activism between the union labor forces which has permitted for freedom to conclude diverse issues of the TUs. But, through the utilization of external union depiction or without utilizing the external depiction it was useful. This innovative way of unionism shows novel organizing methods which have been established by skilled TU organizers in dedicated prearranged manner (South African History Online, 2017). In the current past the chances of the TUs have happen to better because of a number of factors which comprises of augmented requirement of communism by the workers, enhanced and better Law to government and safeguard employees, enhanced TU structures, enhanced working connection among the TUs and management leading to partnerships among other factors. Sterling also observed that the trade unions would continue to be vital in the workplace and their significance and power would bind to enlarge (Manamela, 2015). So, it could be concluded at the end from the above essay that the TU movement faces certain chief confrontations, remarkably which was upgrading its combined potency in the private sector. But while there was clearly a desire for hard-headed practicality, there were also grounds for buoyancy too. With thoughts, hard work and an encouraging wind, TU restitution would not be regarded as unimaginable. Although, none of the 997 delegates who were present at the TUC Congress in Blackpool in 1964 could have predictable how the subsequent 50 years would turned out to be. Fast membership development, the industrial tremor of the 1970s, the decay of the Thatcher and Major ages, New Labours third way, the monetary crash of 2008 and its aftermath the past 5 decades have been nothing if not motivating. Also, not even a single individual could anticipate what the time period from 2014 to 2064 would hold. Nevertheless, there was nothing to be anticipated about further decline of the TU. But all through its past records, the fortunes of organized labor have varied radically. This was likely to remain the case: in 50 years time, as it could be stated that labour historians would be probing the conditions that led to the reincarnation of the TU movement. References Alliance. (2001)The trade union movement at the dawn of the 21st Century. [Online] Alliance. Available from: https://infotek.alliance21.org/d/f/1209/1209_ENG.pdf [Accessed on 3/2/17] Begg, D. (2002) Trade Unions Maintaining Relevance in the 21st Century. [Online] Congress of Trade Union. Available from: https://www.ictu.ie/press/2002/02/21/trade-unions-maintaining-relevance-in-the-21st-century/ [Accessed on 3/2/17] Bezprizvanniy. (2010) Is trade unionism necessary in the 21st century?. [Online] Bezprizvanniy Available from: https://bezprizvanniy.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/is-trade-unionism-necessary-in-the-21st-century/ [Accessed on 3/2/17] Brand South Africa. (2015) Trade unions in South Africa. [Online] Brand South Africa. Available from: https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/investments-immigration/business/economy/policies/tradeunions [Accessed on 3/2/17] Butcher, Kristin, F. and Rouse, Cecilia, E. (2001) Wage effects of unions and industrial councils in South Africa, Policy Research Working Paper Series 2520, The World Bank. Congress of South African Trade Unions. (2001) A Strategic Perspective on the InternationalTrade Union Movement for the 21st Century. [Online] Congress of South African Trade Unions. Available from: https://www.cosatu.org.za/show.php?ID=2246 [Accessed on 3/2/17] Congress of South African Trade unions. (2017) Trade Union.[Online] Congress of South African Trade unions. Available from: https://www.cosatu.org.za/show.php?ID=2080 [Accessed on 3/2/17] ENCA. (2015) Is the trade union movement still relevant in SA?. [Online] ENCA. Available from: https://www.enca.com/south-africa/trade-union-movement-still-relevant-sa [Accessed on 3/2/17] Hachmann, L. (2011) Trade Policy in Post-Apartheid South Africa. [Online] Amdreas Bieler. Available from: https://www.andreasbieler.net/wp-content/workshop/Hachmann.pdf [Accessed on 3/2/17] Hantke, F. (2009) Trade Unions in the 21st Century. [Online] trade Union International. Available from: https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id/06672.pdf [Accessed on 3/2/17] Heery, E. (2002) Partnership Versus Organising: Alternative Future for British Trade Unionism. Industrial Relations Journal, Vol 33 Iss 1. Hodin, M. (2013) How Unions Can Prosper in the 21st Century. [Online] the Huffington Post. Available from: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-hodin/unions_b_2328957.html [Accessed on 3/2/17] Horn, P. (2002) Organising the Informal Sector: Lessons for Labour. [Online] Global Labour Institute. Available from: https://www.globallabour.info/en/2007/09/organising_the_informal_sector.html [Accessed on 3/2/17] Industrial Organizational and Labour Studies. (2017) Trade Unions in South Africa. [Online] Industrial Organizational and Labour Studies. Available from: https://iols.ukzn.ac.za/Courses/2nd-year-courses/Trade-Unions-in-South-Africa.aspx [Accessed on 3/2/17] Jamaica Observer. (2011) Are trade unions still relevant?. [Online] Jamaica Observer. Available from: https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Are-trade-unions-still-relevant-_8828899 [Accessed on 3/2/17] Kester, G. (2016) Trade Unions and Workplace Democracy in Africa,( UK: Routledge). Manamela, M.E. (2015) The Social Responsibility Of South African Trade Unions: A Labour Law Perspective. [Online] University Of South Africa. Available from: https://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/20069/thesis_manamela_me.pdf?sequence=1 [Accessed on 3/2/17] Nowak, P. (2015) The past and future of trade unionism, Employee Relations, Vol. 37 Iss 6 pp. 683 691. Pillay, D (2013b) Between social movement and political unionism: COSATU and democratic politics in South Africa. Rethinking Development and Inequality, Vol 2, special issue, pp 10 - 27. Pillay, D. (2017) The lost moments? Trade union revitalisation and the prospects of an eco-socialist working class politics in South Africa. [Online] Pambazuka News. Available from: https://www.pambazuka.org/democracy-governance/lost-moments-trade-union-revitalisation-and-prospects-eco-socialist-working [Accessed on 3/2/17] Public Service International. (2017) The South African Trade Union Movement: Vibrant, Rich In History And The Challenges Ahead. [Online] Public Service International. Available from: https://congress.world-psi.org/south-african-trade-union-movement [Accessed on 3/2/17] Rule of Burger and Derek Yu. (2006) Wage trends in post-apartheid South Africa: Constructing an earnings series from household survey data, Working Papers 10/2006, Stellenbosch University, Department of Economics. Serrano, M., Xhafa, E., and Fitcher, M. (2016) Trade unions and the global crisis. [Online] International Labour Office. Available from: https://www.bollettinoadapt.it/old/files/document/14526ILO_tradeunions_.pdf [Accessed on 3/2/17] South African History Online. (2017) History Of Womens Struggle In South Africa. [Online] South African History Online. Available from: https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/history-womens-struggle-south-africa [Accessed on 3/2/17] Von Holdt. (2003) Transition from Below: Forging Trade Unionism and Workplace Change in South Africa,( University of Natal Press: Scottsville). Webster, E. and von Holdt. (2005) Beyond the apartheid workplace: studies in transition, Work restructuring and the crisis of social reproduction, (UKZN Press: South Africa). Wire D Space. (2012) Trade Unionism in South Africa: A critical assessment of trade union strategy. [Online] Wire D Space. Available from: https://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10539/8877/Trade%20Unionism%20in%20South%20Africa,%20Mbuyiseni%20Ndlozi.pdf?sequence=2 [Accessed on 3/2/17]

Shakespeare carefully develops language to suit his characters and the mood of the play Essay Example

Shakespeare carefully develops language to suit his characters and the mood of the play Essay Shakespeare carefully develops language to suit his characters and the mood of the play. By referring to the characters and events in Romeo and Juliet show how he does this. Discuss different interpretations of the characters giving you opinion of them. Romeo and Juliet was written in the late 16th century by William Shakespeare, a time when the language was very different to the English we speak today. We will write a custom essay sample on Shakespeare carefully develops language to suit his characters and the mood of the play specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Shakespeare carefully develops language to suit his characters and the mood of the play specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Shakespeare carefully develops language to suit his characters and the mood of the play specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer I have seen several different productions of Romeo and Juliet: Firstly, Baz Luhrmanns modern film, which I really enjoyed and easily understood. This was because Luhrmanns version transposed the action into the 21st century, with drugs, alcohol, car, firearms and a modern set, so that I could easily identify and relate to it. Zefferilis old-fashioned film is probably more how Shakespeare imagined his play to be, as it is portrayed with a set and costumes from the 16th century. Finally I saw a theatrical production in Warwick which helped Shakespeares words come to life, and gave me a clearer idea of each characters role in the play. Gregory and Sampson In Romeo and Juliet, the opening scene involves two of Capulets servants, Gregory and Sampson, who are armed with swords and bucklers. This straight away gives the impression that they are aggressive and ready for a fight. Both men are chatting together, very crudely, about sex and women. Like typical men they are boasting about their sexual prowess, turning everything into crude jokes, using word-play such as stand, thrust, maidenheads, tool and weapon. They are very sexist referring to women as being the weaker vessels. They think that they can over-power women and that women look up to them as superiors. As Sampson says; Me they shall feel while I am able to stand and tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh. This vulgar and crude talk about sex, is very different to the love Romeo and Juliet share for each other later on in the play. Their love is pure and true, and is much more than just sex! Luhrmann captures this crude boastful talk about sex very well, and it isnt over stated, so you can get the full affect about what they are talking about, shown when one of the characters licks his nipple! The Warwick Arts production was effective too, with Gregory and Sampson using vulgar movements to go with their crude jokes, for example, when Sampson pretended to urinate against the wall! Further into their conversation, Sampson and Gregory boast that they are superior to the Montagues, A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montagues, Which means if one of those dogs (Montagues) stirs them into a temper, Gregory and Sampson will stand their ground. This illustrates the characters nature showing that they are rough and ready for a fight. This opening scene in Romeo and Juliet is important, as it is such a contrast to Romeo and Juliets love. The play starts in prose to reflect the casual, informal way the boys speak and the way they behave. This is a scene of violence and comedy. When Romeo enters later on, and when he falls in love with Juliet, Shakespeare changes this style of writing, and uses poetry as it is sophisticated, more formal and emotional. He often uses rhyming couplets for example, when Romeo expresses his emotions. Such as O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright . It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night. Mercutio Mercutio is one of my favourite characters, because of his larger-than-life personality, and the funny but crude jokes he makes. His name comes from Mercurial which means lively and unpredictable. Throughout the play we can see that his name reflects his personality. When he speaks his Queen Mab speech it is imaginative and Mercutio seems to lose touch with reality. Another character whose name has been chosen to suit his character is Benvolio. His name comes from benevolent which means kind, and the inclination to do good. Benvolio is a Montague, and a good friend of Romeos. These two characters, Mercutio and Benvolio, are both different. Mercutio is very confident, outspoken and extrovert, prepared to fight, whereas Benvolio is a peacemaker who is not interested in fighting or aggression, saying Part fools, put up your swords, you know not what you do. Benvolio is very cautious, unlike Romeo. The Montagues and the Prince can trust his word. Benvolio seems to be used as a contrast to the other characters in order to emphasize their aggression. I think Baz Luhrmanns film is the best production of Romeo and Juliet, because he manages to transpose the action into the 21st century with his use of guns, drugs, cars, and a modern set. However I feel that he portrays Benvolio as too trendy, with an open shirt and baggy trousers, as if he is not kind or good natured. When Benvolio tries to part the Capulets with Gregory and Sampson, he draws out his gun and uses it as a weapon of intimidation, which is not how I picture Benvolio behaving. It seems aggressive and out of character. Mercutio is neither a Capulet nor a Montague, but is close friends with Romeo. He is first introduced to us in Act one scene four, when they are on the street outside Capulets mansion. They are carrying masks and torches, preparing to visit the Capulets party. Mercutio, with his lively personality and crude jokes, tries to cheer Romeo out of his sadness: Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance. He also says, If love be rough with you, be rough with love: Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down, which is typically sexually suggestive. When Romeo refuses to be cheered up, and has no wish to join the dance, Mercutio begins to tell the tale of Queen Mab. Mercutio is funny, and very descriptive, going into the finest detail about the chariot, and the fairies midwife. Mercutio starts his speech with O then I see Queen Mab hath been with you, which sounds comical and magical. In Luhrmanns production, the Queen Mab speech is delivered very well, with the idea that Mercutio has lost touch with reality, because he has taken drink and drugs. This makes Mercutio feel relaxed, unconcerned about what people think of him, or what he is saying. Mercutio continues his speech with the finest detail saying; She comes in shape no bigger than an agate-stone on the forefinger of an alderman, drawn with a team of little atomi. Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut, and Her wagon spokes made of long spinners legs. From this we can see that Shakespeare develops Mercutios language to emphasize Mercutios lively personality. This detailed description builds up an image in my head of Mercutios perception of Queen Mab: she is a fragile, beautiful, magical fairy. However his magical description becomes violent and disturbing, talking about how, She driveth oer a soldiers neck, and then dreams he of cutting foreign throats. Romeo and his friends, who are listening to Mercutios speech become very disturbed and anxious, and Romeo replies Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace!. They do not want to hear any more disturbing or unpleasant thoughts from Mercutio. Mercutio is next shown, mocking Romeos love for Rosaline, when they are outside the Capulets mansion. He pretends to be a magician saying, Romeo! Humors! Madam! Passion! Lover! Appear thou in the likeness if a sigh. Mercutio also seizes every opportunity to make sexual puns, such as demesnes, stand, spirit, and medlar. At this point Mercutio does not know about Romeos undying love for Juliet, and still thinks Romeo is in love with Rosaline. I found this scene very funny and entertaining at the theatre, where Mercutio was extremely extrovert and larger than life. The most disturbing and upsetting scene is in Verona, in a public place when Mercutio is laughing at Benvolios fears of meeting the Capulets, as Benvolio knows a fight will surely break out, I pray thee, good Mercutio, lets retire: The day is hot, the Capels are abroad, and if we meet we shall not scape a brawl, For now these hot days, is the mad blood stirring. This means that, as the day is hot, and people become very tired and touchy, if any Capulet insults or infuriates any one, a challenge to a fight would not be turned down. When Tybalt enters, Mercutio taunts Tybalt, but Tybalt ignores his insults, because he is seeking Romeo. However Romeo refuses to accept Tybalts challenge to fight, and tries to placate him saying, I do protest I never injured thee, But love thee better than thou canst devise, Till thou shalt know the reason of my love; and so good Capulet , which name I tender as dearly as mine own, be satisfied. The reason why Romeo is against a fight with the Capulets is because he has fallen deeply in love with Juliet and married her. It is already hard enough that they are from different families who are enemies, but becoming engaged in a physical fight would certainly make their relationship even more difficult. Mercutio is angered by Romeos refusal to fight, and challenges Tybalt to a fight himself. Romeo who was against the fight in the first place, tries to make peace. However his intervention is fatal to Mercutio, who becomes mortally wounded when stabbed by Tybalt under Romeos arm. Even when Mercutio is dying he continues to play on words, and he is very comical. He persists with his light-hearted jokes saying, Ay ay, a scratch, scratch, marry, tis enough. Because of this none of his friends realize or believe that he is fatally wounded. In fact they laugh at the act that they think Mercutio is putting on. Mercutio curses both the Montagues and the Capulets saying A plague a both houses! I am sped. Is he gone and hath nothing? In Zefirellis production I feel that this scene was made too comical and funny and light-hearted, as I pictured Mercutio to be aggressive and violent. After Mercutio (and Tybalt) die, there are no funny, comical or crude scenes. This happens so that more emphasis can be directed towards Romeo and Juliet. After Mercutio has said those words a plague a both houses! the whole story seems to go down hill, becoming very much more serious and solemn. At the theatre production, the audience seemed frustrated and upset that Mercutio, the life of the play had died. This increases peoples hatred of Tybalt, the murderer. The Nurse In Act one, Scene three, we are introduced to the Nurse when she is in conversation with Lady Capulet and Juliet. The Nurses position in the Capulet household is rather different to that of a normal servant. She was once Juliets wet nurse, and from then on they have been close, just like a mother daughter relationship. Juliet has taken the place of the daughter that the nurse once had, and everything the Nurse does, she does for Juliet. She has been totally devoted to Juliet like a mother. The Nurse immediately comes across as an enthusiastic, very confident and down to earth character, and quite crude as she says, Now by my maidenhead at twelve year old, I bade her come. What lamb! What, ladybird! God forbid, wheres this girl? What, Juliet!. I was quite surprised that the Nurse was admitting she lost her virginity when she was twelve. I would expect the Nurse to be polite and courteous, as her job is dependent on Lady Capulet. Juliets nurse is very talkative and relates a story from Juliets childhood until she is interrupted. She uses sexual references when talking such as, Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit and A bump as big as a young cockrels stone! After watching two different versions of Romeo and Juliet on video, which showed the Nurse as being crude and dramatic, I felt that the Nurse was portrayed as too sophisticated and formal in the theatre production to make any of her crude jokes entertaining or funny. Lady Capulet and Juliet are very reserved with each other, not like the Nurse and her now dead husband. Juliet refers to her own mother as madam and Lady Capulet relies greatly on the Nurses support when it comes to making decisions for Juliet as she says; This is the matter. Nurse, give leave a while, We must talk in secret. Nurse come back again, I have remembered me, thou s hear our counsel. This shows that Lady Capulet is too scared to talk to Juliet in private without the Nurse present as she feels that they are not very close, and the Nurse can deal with the situation better. To show that the Nurse is not very well educated she does not speak in poetry. Instead she speaks in prose, which shows she is not very sophisticated. Shakespeare used language to give his characters different personalities and to make them come to life. He also changed the tone of the play by altering the way different characters spoke. He uses language to set a crude and bawdy scene and then changes the tone of the play into a romantic and emotional scene again, by using more sophisticated poetry. He also uses language to establish a characters intellect, and to emphasize their position in society, for example the Nurses crude references, as opposed to the Friars.

Free Essays on Dysfunctional

Dysfunctional is usually applied to families, but also to describe anything from a broken appliance to society at large. To qualify as dysfunctional, obviously the thing in question has ceased to function, or perhaps never functioned in the first place. A family cannot function if the individual members don ¹t communicate their ideas, feelings, needs, and desires. Lack of communication is usually embraced and reinforced by a stringent set of unspoken rules. The same theory can be applied to organizations. Unfortunately I have been part of a dysfunctional organization, although the main problem was contained in one department, but much like teams, an organization is only as strong as their weakest link. I was a Director of Servicing Operations for a major mortgage lender in California. I had recently graduate from college and I had 5 years of servicing experience with the organization and I felt this would be an excellent opportunity for advancement in my career. I was well aware of the departments problems prior to taking the position, but for some reason I felt as though I would be the one to go to bat for my subordinates, reduce turn-over, increase productivity and finally bring the mortgage delinquency down to a respectable percentage. This was a huge order, but I was up for the challenge. Throughout my undergrad I learned many definitions of Leadership and I was determined to be a Leader rather than a Manager. Little did I know how much support I needed from upper management and colleagues to make this possible. When I first started with this company I was attracted to the scores of smart, motivated, and talented people that populated this organization, although I did notice that they do not often pull in the same direction at the same time. When they did, they can execute brilliant, breakout strategic moves, but the organization typically lacks the discipline and coordination to repeat these successes on a consistent basis... Free Essays on Dysfunctional Free Essays on Dysfunctional Dysfunctional is usually applied to families, but also to describe anything from a broken appliance to society at large. To qualify as dysfunctional, obviously the thing in question has ceased to function, or perhaps never functioned in the first place. A family cannot function if the individual members don ¹t communicate their ideas, feelings, needs, and desires. Lack of communication is usually embraced and reinforced by a stringent set of unspoken rules. The same theory can be applied to organizations. Unfortunately I have been part of a dysfunctional organization, although the main problem was contained in one department, but much like teams, an organization is only as strong as their weakest link. I was a Director of Servicing Operations for a major mortgage lender in California. I had recently graduate from college and I had 5 years of servicing experience with the organization and I felt this would be an excellent opportunity for advancement in my career. I was well aware of the departments problems prior to taking the position, but for some reason I felt as though I would be the one to go to bat for my subordinates, reduce turn-over, increase productivity and finally bring the mortgage delinquency down to a respectable percentage. This was a huge order, but I was up for the challenge. Throughout my undergrad I learned many definitions of Leadership and I was determined to be a Leader rather than a Manager. Little did I know how much support I needed from upper management and colleagues to make this possible. When I first started with this company I was attracted to the scores of smart, motivated, and talented people that populated this organization, although I did notice that they do not often pull in the same direction at the same time. When they did, they can execute brilliant, breakout strategic moves, but the organization typically lacks the discipline and coordination to repeat these successes on a consistent basis...

Business Case Formulation for a successful SAP (ERP System) Literature review

Business Case Formulation for a successful SAP (ERP System) Implementation - Literature review Example Aladwani (2001) elucidates that, businesses are operating in environments that are undergoing continuous experiences of dynamic changes and as a result, many organizations are striving hard to remain competitive. Nonetheless, the changes pose challenges for most companies as they focus on improving their business practices and procedures, as a way of maintaining a strategic influence in the competitive market using the current forms of information systems. More significantly, the advancements have seen organizations adapt support information systems with advanced operations that include Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, which enhance companies maximization of strategic management of its resources by allowing maximum potential use of diverse enterprise systems that suit the organizational needs (Peffers, Gengler & Tuunanen, 2003). In most cases, the ERP systems implemented are based on the extensive knowledge of the industry, readily usable assets besides proven ERP processes, strategies and technologies. Kerimo & Uluhan (2003), emphasis on the fact that the use of clearly implemented ERP systems for a suitable company practices provide viable solutions that remain significant in achievement of business advantages in the competitive global markets. Nah & Delgado (2006) describes the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems as being of great importance to companies as it offers integrated, enterprise-wide systems that can be used in the provision of automated support. As a result, the automated support system will allow effectiveness and efficiency of business procedures as it is considered essential for standard business processes within and outside operations of organizations. More considerably, companies have found it beneficial to adopt an ERP system that allows for improvements in management and decision-making. More considerably, the implementation

Reflection 5 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reflection 5 - Research Paper Example There are however industries/businesses that will be immediately and severely affected with this crisis. In particular, banks will be the first hit because they adopt a cautionary stance in lending out money because they are uncertain if borrowers can repay given the current dismal economic condition. Second is the housing industry. A home is the single largest investment that an individual will make and it is very unlikely that an individual will make his or her largest investment during a crisis. Without a market or having a market that is overly cautious, housing industry will surely contract. Third are the manufacturing companies who needs infusion of capital to finance its fix assets for expansion. As lending institutions are in doubt of the economy’s future, they will be heistant to lend money to industries. The manufacturing industry in effect will not have enough funds to finance its expansion resulting for it to contract. 2. Giving the current trend both in the US and Canada where consumers eating habits are changing, both food manufacturers and grocery stores has to adjust. For food manufacturers, they have to realize the increasing preference of consumers towards discounts and buying in scale to save money. Such, they may want to reconsider their packaging that would accommodate the increasing preference for scale and value. For grocery stores, they now have to reconfigure their service to include delivery as consumers now are preferring to have their groceries delivered to save on gas. 3. There is an increasing trend for consumers to use social media. Research showed that adults spend at least six hours per week in social media and this would continue in the future. Such, marketers may want to adjust their marketing plans and diversify to non-traditional media such as social media (facebook, twitter, etch) to capture the market to are frequenting these sites. Also the trend in technology purchases such as smartphones may

Causation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Causation - Essay Example For instance, in Empire Jamaica (1955),2 the owners sent a vessel out to sea, and it crashed because the pilot fell asleep. The only negligence that the owners were guilty of were that the officers did not have their licenses. But this had nothing to do with the crash, so, even though there was a negligent act, it was not the cause of the damages. Similarly, in Christopher Andrews v. Barnett Waddingham LLP and RAJ Waddingham3 there was insufficient causation between the negligence of the financial advisors and the loss that was suffered by the claimant. Moreover, there is a general rule in English law that there are certain acts that would break the chain of causation. For instance, the acts of a third party are likely to break the chain of causation.4 This often when the defendant does not have control over the third party's actions, but, if the actions of the third party are foreseeable by the defendant in any way, the chain of causation is not broken.5 While these are torts cases, there are criminal cases as well, and these criminal cases define the boundaries and the contours of causation in the criminal courts. In criminal law, there must be an action (actus reus) combined with the state of mind (mens rea), and the actus reus plus the mens rea must have caused the actual crime.6 Moreover, there might be instances where there is a supervening or intervening cause that would break the chain of causation.7 There are exceptions to this, of course. For instance, there might be a case where somebody does great bodily damage to somebody else, but does not do enough damage to kill the person. But, the person might be a Jehovah's Witness and refuses a blood transfusion. If the transfusion was received, then that person would have lived. The defendant would still be guilty of manslaughter or murder, because of what is known as the ?hin skull rule- this means, generally, that you take the victim as you find him or her.8 At the same time, there are times when an omiss ion might give rise to criminal liability, such that a crime can be heightened if the person does nothing for somebody who was damaged by the criminal defendant.9 For instance, if somebody beats somebody up, and doesn't get medical attention for the person, and the person dies, then that person is guilty of murder or manslaughter.10 Likewise, there is also an issue regarding intervening causation.11 One of the leading cases for this is R v. Cheshire.12 In R v. Cheshire, the appellant attacked and shot a man in a fish and chip shop, and he underwent surgery. When he was in surgery there was a negligent act, in which the doctor could not diagnose the reason why the patient died. The doctor misdiagnosed the reason behind the patient's breathlessness and respiratory obstruction. However, it was found that the only way that the causation would be broken would be if the medical staff was reckless, not merely negligent. Therefore, the defendant in this case was found to be liable for the d eath, because he put the causation into motion with his battery in the first place.13 That said, there can also be a case where the negligence of a third party would break the chain of causation, such that the defendant who put the act into motion would not be negligent for the

Child Support Agency: Critical Analysis of its Current State

Child Support Agency: Critical Analysis of its Current State Support that Needs Supporting: A Critical Analysis of the Current State of the Child Support Agency Abstract: On November 17, 2005 Prime Minister Tony Blair stated to the House of Commons that the CSA has fundamental problems. And this is the current opinion amongst many of the users of the service. This project will critically analyse the issues which have caused the agency to fail in its provision of support to some of the most vulnerable people in society; children. Table of Contents (Jump to) Preface Introduction Chapter 1: Investigation Chapter 2: Adjudication Chapter 3: Enforcement Chapter 4: Technological and Staffing Problems Chapter 5: The Future for the CSA Conclusion Bibliography Table of Cases and Statutes Preface This dissertation examines the current state of operation of the United Kingdom Child Support Agency, an organisation beset with criticism and administrative difficulties. It was hoped that the CSA, which has the two-fold role of assessing and collecting child support payments, would solve many of the problems of the court-based regime it was designed to replace. However, after 13 years of operation and several intervening attempts to reform the Agency these early ambitions have not proved well founded. In the following paper various areas of institutional weakness are identified and discussed, and conclusions are drawn on the basis of the observations made. Introduction The Child Support Agency (â€Å"CSA†) commenced operations in April 1993. It is an executive agency of government and a branch of the Department for Work and Pensions. The CSA is obliged to implement the 1991 Child Support Act and all relevant legislation relating to child support.[1] Child support, which is more popularly known as child maintenance, can be defined as the contribution made by a non-resident parent towards the financial costs of raising their child and it is usually paid to the person (usually the other parent) with whom the child resides. Before the establishment of the Child Support Agency disputes regarding child maintenance were dealt with by the courts. It was hoped that the introduction of the CSA would solve many of the problems associated with the old system in particular its inability to trace parents and its tendency to impose arbitrary and unfair settlements. The CSA was charged with the duty to assess payments on a consistent basis against a standard formula and thereafter to collect and distribute child support in an efficient manner. There is no doubt that this is a very sensitive and difficult area of public policy to manage but it is hard to avoid the assertion that the Child Support Agency has performed poorly. Criticism has been levelled at the CSA since its inception. In 1998, Prime Minister Tony Blair accepted that the CSA had â€Å"lost the confidence of the public†. He described the Agency as â€Å"a mess, in need of urgent reform†.[2] Various costly and comprehensive reforms were indeed implemented but the Agency’s performance deteriorated yet further over time. In November 2004, Doug Smith, the head of the CSA, resigned after wide-ranging criticism of the CSA systems..[3] Chairman of Work and Pensions Committee Sir Archy Kirkwood was moved to describe the situation at the CSA as: â€Å"a systemic, chronic failure of management right across the totality of the agency..† In November 2005, confronted by reports that for every  £1.85 that is collected for child support, the CSA spent  £1 on administration, Tony Blair acknowledged that the CSA was â€Å"not properly suited† to its function.[4] Blair proceeded to admit to the House of Commons that the CSA has â€Å"fundamental problems.† It is submitted that this is now the view of the overwhelming majority of commentators and clients of the CSA’s services. There is now a strong likelihood that the CSA will be subject either to radical reform or be scrapped altogether. At the time of writing in June 2006 it is anticipated that the government’s plans for the CSA will be laid before Parliament before Parliament rises for the summer. These are therefore important weeks for the Agency. This project will critically analyse the issues which have hindered the CSA in its efforts to provide support to some of the most vulnerable people in society; the children of failed relationships. Chapter 1: Investigation â€Å"†¦I make no defence of the current situation. The CSA is in an extremely difficult position†¦it is the investigating agency, then it is the adjudicating agency, then it is the enforcement agency†¦.The basic problem remains†¦It is extremely difficult to make this operation cost effective when the agency is the investigating, adjudicating and enforcing authority†¦.The truth is that the agency is not properly suited to carry out that task† Prime Minster Tony Blair House of Commons, 16 November 2005[5] Perhaps the first point to make is that the CSA caseload is very heavy. Changes in society are producing more and more broken families and thus child support claims, and many of these may prove to be highly complex cases. The investigation-stage of a case is clearly resource-intensive and the plain fact of the matter is that staffing resources and internal efficiency protocols have never been adequate to meet the demands of the burgeoning caseload. It needs hardly be said that the process of investigation of child support cases is often a very difficult and thankless task. Non-resident parents will often make great efforts to conceal and misrepresent facts so as to circumnavigate, obfuscate and frustrate the work of the Child Support Agency and it is unfair to blame the Agency for the behaviour of those with whom it is charged with dealing. Anecdotal evidence suggests that parents have taken extreme steps such as changing jobs or rendering themselves unemployed to defeat CSA investigations aimed at building a case to require them contribute financially to the upbringing of their children. It is likely that evasive or duplicitous parents create many times the amount of work for the Agency that a cooperative parent does and it is perhaps unreasonable to lay that responsibility at the door of the CSA. However, it is submitted that the style of management and administration systems operative at the Agency has exacerbated the profou nd external difficulties it faces, magnifying inevitable difficulties and allowing other problems that could be avoided under a tighter and more cogent regime to manifest themselves causing additional costs and delays. Perhaps the greatest weakness in the CSA investigation system the policy organisation’s policy that â€Å"the non-resident parent has a right to be believed† which ties the hands of Agency staff. This policy is clearly in place to reduce the administrative burden on the CSA but it is manifestly susceptible to abuse, if not, frankly, ripe for it. If a parent with care is fully aware that the non-resident parent has several jobs but has disclosed only one job to the Agency, then telephones the Agency to disclose this fact, the Agency will respond by repeating the aforementioned mantra and refuse to take further action unless â€Å"pay-slips from other jobs can be provided†, which in almost every case is an impossible demand. This is a ridiculous state of affairs, and one that gives non-resident parents full and open licence to deceive the Agency and avoid paying the proper amount to the children who are supposedly the priority in the system.. It is also submitted that the CSA, being an administrative entity, is not best suited to dealing with some of the highly complex and contentious cases that fall for its attention.. Such cases, which would probably be better suited to solution within the court system, serve as logjams in the Agency’s workload, and delay the progress of many more straightforward cases.[6] CSA investigations have been hampered not only by clumsy managerial procedures and organisation, but also by the information technology systems upon which it relies. The problems with the CSA’s IT systems have been well-publicised and are so extensive as to merit specific discussion later in this paper.[7] However, with regards to the issue of case investigation in particular, it has been impossible for management accurately to scrutinise and evaluate the performance of the Agency, and thus set in place long term strategies and goals, because of failings and incongruities within its information technology infrastructure. As the Commons Work and Pensions Committee commented in 2005: â€Å"It is difficult to exaggerate the Agency’s already low reputation†¦Ã¢â‚¬ .[8] It is submitted that the credibility of the CSA is perhaps one of the greatest obstacles to its case investigation work. The Agency does not enjoy the unqualified respect of parents on either side of the child support equation, and this probably understates the truth. The CSA is widely perceived to be a disorganised and failing entity. Given that effective investigation is heavily reliant on prompt and fulsome compliance by parents, the credibility of the Agency itself has become a major factor in reducing its effectiveness as an organisation. In simple terms, parents are not scared of the CSA or intimidated by the consequences that dilatory or obstructive behaviour on their part might provoke. When one contrasts the reputation of the CSA with that of the Inland Revenue or the Police it is clear that the Agency is its own grea test enemy, in particular in regards to its role as investigator something which is so dependent on its relationship with and image in the eyes of parents, many of which already harbour a recalcitrant agenda. CSA investigation has also been hampered by weaknesses and omissions in the range of powers made available to the Agency for the fulfilment of its case investigation work. For example, Liberal Mps David Laws and Danny Alexander recently claimed that the CSA has had to shelve 46,000 cases where the non-resident parent cannot be traced, noting, almost incredulously, that there is no obligation on non-resident parents to inform the Agency when they change either their job or their address.[9] This position has been labelled as â€Å"absurd† by the Work and Pensions Select Committee.[10] It can be argued that such lacunae in the powers awarded to the CSA have made a significant contribution to the inefficiency of its case investigation operations.. Moreover, in this regard it should be noted that the ability of the Agency to obtain information about a non-resident parent’s income at the investigation-stage from Government bodies and other organisations and is woefully inadequate, and this weakness predictably generates a huge amount of unnecessary delay. The CSA’s inability to access confidential information such as credit cards records clearly hampers the organisation’s activities although there is a limit on just how far enhanced legal powers could assist in bringing the most assiduously evasive and duplicitous non-resident parent to book. Ironically, given that the future of child support may well lie in that direction, it is submitted that there has to date been poor communication and ineffective cooperation between the Child Support Agency and the Inland Revenue.. Unfortunately, even in cases where both parents offer full cooperation, due to the CSA’s parlous communication networks families rout inely have to wait many months before a child support assessment is made and a maintenance liability is established, and of course over this period extensive arrears may build up. Another factor which has frustrated CSA investigation work is that the rules and frameworks under which it operates have been subject to constant and comprehensive change over the course of the life of the Agency. Seemingly well-meaning â€Å"reforms† have been implemented with such regularity that the CSA is in a constant state of learning. For example, The Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 introduced a wholly new system[11] (known in the literature as the new scheme†) which entered into force for new cases as of March 2003. The intention was that the new scheme, which incorporated much simpler calculations, would elevate the problems of the Agency, however, it is submitted that this attempt to improve the situation at the CSA only made things worse, because the Agency now had to deal with a new an unfamiliar system alongside the old rules which remained applicable to earlier cases. Further work was generated by the need to convert cases from the old system to the new. These demands inevitably had a negative effect on the on-going case investigation work of the Agency, further depleting morale and resources. Other weaknesses in the investigation process may prove simply intractable. Under the rules of the CSA men are liable to start paying maintenance from the moment they are named by the mother as the father of the child. Unfortunately, almost one in five men who challenge the claim and ask for a DNA test discover that they are not the father of the child in question (3034 of 15909 1998-2004).[12] Refunds to the men are paid by the taxpayer, no attempt has been made by the CSA to recover any of the money wrongly paid over to the women in question. Labour MP and ex-social security minister Frank Field has commented: â€Å"The situation in the CSA is getting so absurd that even Lewis Carroll would have rejected it as a script for Alice in Wonderland.†[13] However, this is just one example of the difficulty faced by the CSA in attempting to impose an administrative framework and order in its investigative case work over such complex, sensitive and fraught personal relationships. The very latest report on the Child Support Agency’s performance, published on 27 June 2006 by Independent Case Examiner (ICE) Jodi Berg (who is charged with the responsibility of monitoring the CSA) expresses â€Å"deep concern† about the standard of its investigation work and the weakness of the basic administration of the Agency.[14] Berg reported that complaints against the Agency rose 5 per cent over the past year and noted that more than fifty per cent of all complaints were associated with delays or errors in the case investigation process. This increase in complaints follows on the back of record increases in the past two years.[15] Given the problems identified above this is perhaps not surprising. Berg recommended in more than half of all complaints ultimately investigated (1,348 over the last year) that the CSA should offer some form of financial recompense to the complainant.. The examiner concluded that the Child Support Agency would only be able to deal wi th its poor levels of customer service if it achieved the establishment of â€Å"sound fundamental administration processes†.[16] It is submitted therefore, in summation on this issue, that the CSA operates under a weak and pregnable administrative system, and that holes and ambiguities in the system are exploited by non-resident parents determined to avoid paying child support by any means. This commentator asserts that this combination of factors is in large part responsible for the poor performance of the Agency’s work on case-investigation. Chapter 2: Adjudication Alongside its role as investigator, the Child Support Agency is charged with the responsibility to adjudicate the cases that come before it. It is clear that the Agency has dramatically under-performed in this area just as it has in other spheres of its activity. The National Audit Office (NAO) has qualified its opinion on the CSA’s account in every single year since the Agency’s inception due to the level of error detected in maintenance assessments.[17] The NAO has reported that more than a quarter of receipts from non-resident parents and, astonishingly, more than three quarters of maintenance assessment debts are incorrect under the CSA‘s accounts. The NAO has also estimated that overstatement errors run to more than  £20 million pounds per year and that understatement errors may amount to around twenty times that amount.[18] This is an appalling state of affairs, and one which prejudices, in particular, the interests of children which the CSA is supposedly duty bound to hold high. The CSA Standards Committee provides the Chief Executive with a independent review of the quality of decision making within the Agency, and on the mechanisms in place for quality assurance. The Committee expected an improvement in the standard of adjudication achieved by the CSA after transition from the old to the new scheme, however it noted in its 2003/04 annual report that the new IT system was unable to deliver the anticipated results.[19] The report indicates an overall accuracy figure of 81.8%, which is below the 90% target imposed by the Government. It is submitted that this figure, which suggests mistakes in around 20 per cent or one fifth of all adjudications is unacceptable and that it cannot be explained merely by blaming IT difficulties. It is argued that staffing issues and poor management and surveillance play a significant part in erroneous adjudications and this is one aspect of the work of the Agency that cannot be defended by pointing at the behaviour of recalcitra nt non-resident parents.. The accuracy of decisions exclusively made in maintenance assessments is put at 79.8 per cent by the Committee, which is a steadily improving figure. (accuracy was put at 75% in 2002/03 and 71.6% in 2001/02). The report suggests that the primary causes of â€Å"inaccuracy† under the old scheme were: miscalculation of earnings errors regarding housing costs supersession errors[20] insufficient documentary evidence..[21] The Committee expressed disappointment that similar errors appeared to be creeping into the operation of the rules under the new scheme, and reported that these included mistakes in the setting of effective dates, elements of client contact and erroneous earnings calculations.[22] In March 2005 the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee delivered its report: The Child Support Agency: Government Response to the Committees 2nd Report of Session 2004–05. In this report the Work and Pensions Committee expressed continued concern at the â€Å"lower than expected level of accuracy of maintenance calculationsâ€Å". The Select Committee noted, the findings of the Agency’s Standards Committee as discussed above and recommended adherence to policies set down in the Transformation Programme designed to smooth the problematic transition from the old scheme to the new. These policies include double-checking for the most commonly made errors, and measures ensuring that all decisions are correctly documented (inadequately documented decisions are classified as inaccurate even if the calculation is correct). The Select Committee noted that a series of measures would be developed to further improve the adjudication process and these include: The adoption of a Standardised Adjudication Form – completion of which should be mandatory in the case of all â€Å"off-line decisions† unsupported by the system. It is submitted that this should support the documentary trail supporting these decisions. The introduction of a risk-based checking system – It is suggested that this policy should target surveillance and quality control resources on stages in the adjudication process known to be error-prone. In terms of opportunity-cost it is clearly prudent to make such stages a priority in this regard, but that is not to say that other less commonly arising mistakes should be ignored. Centralised Checking Teams – It is submitted that, in theory at least, this is also a well-founded policy. A centralised quality assurance mechanism, could more efficiently improve consistency and standardisation within the Agency and it is perhaps surprising that such a resource has not been in place within the CSA since its inception. Introduction of Quality Support Officers – again it is surprising that it took 12 years of operation before the creation of such posts were seriously considered. It is argued that the prior lack of such officers goes someway to explain the poor performance of the Agency since its establishment.. Such officers could quickly draw adjudication errors to the personal attention of the decision maker and the relevant Team Leader to ensure that misunderstandings are promptly and effectively rectified through focused coaching and targeted support.. Enhancements in Staff Training – Again it is noted that the User Education Programme concentrates on training aimed at eliminating the top five errors, but it is submitted that improvements aimed at eliminating the propensity to err in general should also be implemented if the Agency is really to address the mistakes plaguing its adjudication processes. As has been argued was the case in the context of the Agency’s case-investigation work the transition from the old scheme to the new scheme rules has proved problematic.. Efforts to improve the quality of the adjudication process have been hampered by the change from one system to the next and by the fact that the two quite different systems run in parallel and must be administered as such within the organisation.. These effects have been felt not only in the UK CSA but in its Northern Ireland counterpart. In the Annual Report on Decision Making in the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency (2003-2004)[23] the Independent Standards Committee reported that whereas under the old scheme around 1 in 4 decisions contained an error, under the new scheme almost half of adjudications contained a flaw, although curiously financial accuracy is reported to be 92 per cent in both cases. This suggests that most errors are either procedural in nature or to be found in the inaccurate/incomple te recording of decisions and this is very much a management issue. Ultimately, it is argued that it is the senior management team of the CSA that should be held responsible for the general tendency of the Agency to err in its adjudication role.. It is the function of the leadership of the Agency to set in place the appropriate systems and cultures necessary to ensure accuracy. After thirteen years of operation one would, it is submitted, properly expect that teething troubles in the adjudication process should have been long-since identified and rectified, but that does not appear to have been the case. Indeed the management malaise at the CSA, while perhaps most obvious in the context of poor adjudication standards, translates into below-par performance in other fields of activity beyond the largely internal scope of the adjudication process, with even greater force due to the determination of non-resident parents to hamper the administration that lax management has left pregnable.. Chapter 3: Enforcement Enforcement is the third of the CSA’s three main functions in the field of child support.. Yet again however, it is submitted that the Agency has been found lacking and criticism of its efforts in this arena has been both extensive and far-reaching. The CSA has consistently exhibited a disturbing failure properly to enforce maintenance payments. In an enforcement monitoring exercise supervised by the Child Support Agency Standards Committee in 2003 it was discovered that only 10 per cent of enforcement cases were dealt with in a correct manner. This, it is argued is a simply disgraceful state of affairs. Moreover, the National Audit Office has qualified the CSA’s Client Fund accounts in every single year since the Agency’s inception and this is an indefensible situation that would have led to collapse and investigation if it had occurred in the private sector in the context of any normal commercial undertaking.[24] Part of the blame can be laid on the behaviour o f obstructive non-resident parents but the lions share of the responsibility for this appalling record of failure must lie with the management and administration system dedicated to enforcement that those reluctant payers seem to find so easy to exploit. In principle, where a non-resident parent fails to pay regular maintenance, the Agency’s policies dictate that so-called â€Å"front-line staff† should endeavour to negotiate an arrears agreement. If such an agreement cannot be reached on a voluntary basis, and the non-resident parent is in employment, a debt manager may be called upon to impose a Deduction from Earnings Order on his or her salary. If this action proves ineffective the case will be referred to an Enforcement Team which will consider legal proceedings (this decision and the form of such proceedings is at the discretion of the Enforcement Team). The Child Support Agency Standards Committee have found numerous errors occurring at this important stage..[25] Among the errors the most commonly occurring include a failure to use the full range of powers available to the Agency to obtain information to allow the conversion of a case from an interim maintenance assessment to a full maintenance assessment.. In this regard it should be noted that section 14A of the Child Support Act permits criminal proceedings to be brought against those failing to provide information or who offer false information. It is argued that cultural factors within the management of the organisation deter resort to criminal action in some cases and that this tendency coupled with the fragile administrative superstructure is deleterious both to t he CSA’s performance and its reputation. Another frequently noted error is the incorrect application of Liability Orders, which are necessary to obtain legal recognition that a debt is owed as a precursor to further enforcement proceedings against the non-resident parent. In many other cases no action is taken after the issuing of a letter warning of enforcement action to an unresponsive non-resident parent.. There is strong anecdotal evidence and a commonly held public perception that the Agency takes a very tough and rigorous line on non-resident parent’s willing to cooperate and make payments, but a far less assiduous approach to uncooperative and evasive parents. It is submitted that there is a widely held belief that the CSA pursues this line with a view to the preservation of its own resources and the improvement of its own performance figures and the Agency is routinely criticised for disregarding the interests of children and single parents as a consequence. Indeed, the CSA has been roundly criticised by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman for this engrained pattern of behaviour.[26] However, that is not to say that the Agency has not made progress in some fields of enforcement activity. Prompted by recommendations made by the Standards Committee the CSA has sharpened its policies to some extent. For example the  £250 de minimis[27] debt threshold for enforcement action (imposed presumably for administrative and cost efficiency) has been abolished and new fines have been introduced along with the option to seek the withdrawal of driving licences from non-payers. That said, by 2005 the Agency had only used its power to withdraw driving licences 11 times in the five years since the introduction of the penalty[28], and given that over that period well in excess of 250,000 non-resident parents had become habitual non-payers, this must be viewed as a lamentable if not disgraceful record. Unfortunately the developing picture became even gloomier despite the increase in resources made available to the Agency’s enforcement teams. Billions of pounds have now been written off by the Agency as â€Å"uncollectable†. It is submitted that the Agency’s political overseers must take some of the blame alongside the senior management of the organisation. Under Tony Blair’s Labour administration the amount of the uncollected child maintenance had tripled from  £1.1bn in 1997 to  £3.3 billion by 2005. It is clear that the Agency puts insufficient emphasis on compliance and that, for some inexplicable reason it resorts to middle-order procedures to compel regular payments in far fewer instances than should be the case. The parent with care is typically forced to make numerous complaints before any enforcement action is taken by the CSA and even then there is no guarantee that effective measures are put in place. For example, it has been asserted that only around 19 per cent of long-term defaulting cases are subject to a Deduction of Earnings Order.[29] It has also been noted that the sheer amount of complex regulation confuses both parents with care and non-resident parents, and that the latter group has become skilled in the art of exploiting the convoluted appeal system so as to either evade payment or delay it for as long as possible.[30] This commentator is spoilt for choice in the selection of statistics for mention in this paper on the CSA’s enforcement performance but perhaps the most damning fact of all is that the Agency Enforcement unit retrievedjust  £8 million in 2005 but cost £12 million to operate.[31] That really speaks for itself. Again it is pertinent to restate the fact that non-resident parents have exacerbated difficulties over enforcement by their obstructive and often duplicitous behaviour, but this does not justify the results obtained by the Agency. If the CSA was using the full range of its powers to their full effect and achieving poor results, this commentator would indeed dwell more on the behaviour of parents and the agenda of the Government which awards and delimits the powers. However, it is manifestly clear that the Agency does not use its powers effectively something best evidenced by the stated statistic on the incredibly low use of the driving licence withdrawal option. Such a threat is obviously a potent weapon in the arsenal of the CSA, and while it may not always be appropriate, perhaps because the non-resident parent relies on his or her licence in order to generate an income, this commentator simply refuses to accept that it has only proved ap

Fiber Optics Essay -- Fiber Optics Technology Electronics Essays

Fiber Optics What are Fiber Optics? Fiber optics are thin transparent fibers of glass or plastic enclosed by a material of a lower index of refraction and that transmit light throughout their length by internal reflections. Real fiber optic cables are made out of very pure glass, glass so pure that if it were miles thick, light would still be able to pass through. The fiber optic strand, although thin in diameter, is stretched to miles in length. Therefore only the purest of glass would be efficient and useful for sending light signals. The glass of these fiber optic cables is drawn into a very thin strand (as thin as human hair), then it is coated in two layers of plastic. By coating the glass in plastic (this is called the cladding), a "mirror" is created around the glass. This creates a total internal reflection. In other words, when light is passed through the cable, the light will reflect off the interior surface of the cable, and continue to bounce off the reflective surface until it reaches the opening at the ot her end. Light travels through the fiber optic cable and bounces off at shallow angles, and stays completely within the glass fiber. How Fiber Optic Communications Work Fiber optics, in the world of technology, is used to carry voice, data, and video inside these strands of glass. Optical fiber for telecommunications consists of three components: core, cladding and coating. The core is the central region of an optical fiber through which light is transmitted. The core and cladding are manufactured together as a single piece of glass and cannot be separated from one another. The third section is the outer protective coating. This coating is typically an ultraviolet (UV) light-cured acrylic applied during t... ...mitless. Fiber optic technology has opened the door to many more communication opportunities for the world today. It provides higher fidelity long distance telephone conversations, as well as secure communication systems. Today, more than 90% of the United States long-distance traffic is already carried over optical fiber; more than 15 million miles have been installed, virtually all of it using the original design. The concept of fiber optics is simple, yet it provides so many potentialities in the world of technology. Presently the world relies on fiber optical technology for its data and communications systems. The consumer can converse on the telephone and hear voices with clarity, as well as send and receive information on the Internet with ease. However, there still lay a sea of possibilities in this area of technology that has not yet been discovered.

A Call to Arms †Style and Tone Essay

â€Å"After a while I went out and left the hospital and walked back to the hotel in the rain† (332). This last line of the novel gives an understanding of Ernest Hemingway’s style and tone. The overall tone of the book is much different than that of The Sun Also Rises. The characters in the book are propelled by outside forces, in this case WWI, where the characters in The Sun Also Rises seemed to have no direction. Frederick’s actions are determined by his position until he deserts the army. Floating down the river with barely a hold on a piece of wood his life, he abandons everything except Catherine and lets the river take him to a new life that becomes increasing difficult to understand. Nevertheless, Hemingway’s style and tone make A Farewell to Arms one of the great American novels. Critics usually describe Hemingway’s style as simple, spare, and journalistic. These are all good words they all apply. Perhaps because of his training as a newspaperman, Hemingway is a master of the declarative, subject-verb-object sentence. See more:  Masters of Satire: John Dryden and Jonathan Swift Essay His writing has been likened to a boxer’s punches-combinations of lefts and rights coming at us without pause. As illustrated on page 145 â€Å"She went down the hall. The porter carried the sack. He knew what was in it,† one can see that Hemingway’s style is to-the-point and easy to understand. The simplicity and the sensory richness flow directly from Hemingway’s and his characters’ beliefs. The punchy, vivid language has the immediacy of a news bulletin: these are facts, Hemingway is telling us, and they can’t be ignored. And just as Frederic Henry comes to distrust abstractions like â€Å"patriotism,† so does Hemingway distrust them. Instead he seeks the concrete and the tangible. A simple â€Å"good† becomes higher praise than another writer’s string of decorative adjectives. Hemingway’s style changes, too, when it reflects his characters’ changing states of mind. Writing from Frederic Henry’s point of view, he sometimes uses a modified stream-of-consciousness technique, a method for spilling out on paper the inner thoughts of a character. Usually Henry’s thoughts are choppy, staccato, but when he becomes drunk the language does too, as in the passage on page 13, â€Å"I had gone to no such place but to the smoke of cafes and nights when the room whirled and you needed to look at the wall to make it stop, nights in bed, drunk, when you knew that that was all there was, and the strange excitement of waking and not knowing who it was with you, and the world all unreal in the dark and so exciting that you must resume again  unknowing and not caring in the night, sure that this was all and all and all and not caring. â€Å" The rhythm, the repetition, have us reeling with Henry. In general, Hemingway’s writing is descriptive yet effective in leaving much to the readers interpretation and allowing a different image to form in each readers mind. The simple sentences and incomplete descriptions frees your imagination and inspires each person to develop their own bitter love story.